Iraqi Education Minister Calls for Increased Budget to Tackle Challenges
Iraqi Minister of Education Ibrahim Namis Al-Jubouri has highlighted the pressing challenges facing the country's education system, including high illiteracy and dropout rates, insufficient school infrastructure, and allegations of corruption. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Al-Jubouri emphasized the need for an increased budget to effectively address these issues. He noted that the current financial allocations are inadequate to meet the growing demands of the education sector, which has seen a significant increase in student enrollment, particularly in primary education.
The minister pointed out that the illiteracy rate in Iraq stands at 12.7%, a figure that has risen due to the disruptions caused by ISIS's control over large areas of the country from 2014. The Iraqi government has made efforts to combat this trend by opening educational centers in displaced persons' camps and launching adult education campaigns. Al-Jubouri expressed optimism that the results of the upcoming population census would reflect a decrease in illiteracy rates, thanks to these initiatives and partnerships with international organizations.
Focus on Private Education and Infrastructure Development
In response to the declining quality of government education, many Iraqi families have turned to private schools, which have proliferated in recent years. Al-Jubouri acknowledged the growth of the private education sector, which now includes over 2,884 schools and 1,400 kindergartens. However, he also noted the disparities in quality among private institutions, prompting the Ministry of Education to implement new mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating these schools.
The Iraqi government has committed to improving school infrastructure, with plans to build and rehabilitate thousands of schools across the country. Prime Minister's recent initiatives include the construction of over 790 new schools and the revival of previously suspended projects. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including securing land for new schools and addressing overcrowded classrooms.
To combat the alarming dropout rates, which reach 35% in primary and 45% in secondary education, the Ministry has launched campaigns to encourage students to return to school. These initiatives, in collaboration with UNICEF, have successfully identified and addressed the complex factors contributing to student dropout, including economic and social challenges. The Ministry is also exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into school curricula, aiming to prepare students for future technological advancements.
